Hygienic face mask

ABSTRACT

A protective facemask configured to block and redirect exhaled breath from a wearer in order to inhibit spread of respiratory droplets disposed in the exhaled breath. The facemask of the present invention includes a body that is manufactured from clear plastic. The body includes an upper portion and a lower portion wherein the upper portion has a defining upper perimeter edge. The body has a width proximate the lower end that is less than that of the width proximate the upper end. A pair of opposing wing members are contiguous with the body and extend around the cheek areas of the wearer. The body is engaged and adjacent the nose and cheeks of the wearer but has a void between the inner surface and face below the nose and cheek area. The lower end has a bottom perimeter edge that is arcuate in form so as to redirect exhaled breath.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to personal protective equipment, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a personal protective facemask wherein the mask inhibits respiratory droplets from being expelled in a direction towards those proximate the wearer of the present invention.

BACKGROUND

As is known in the art, numerous types of viruses and bacteria are spread through respiratory droplets. Respiratory droplets are a natural production of human beings and are produced by humans during talking, sneezing, breathing and coughing. Respiratory droplets include various cell types wherein the cell types include potentially infectious agents such as but not limited to bacteria, fungi and virus agents. These droplets vary in size and content and some of the smaller sized droplets can travel distances of at least ten feet. When an individual is a carrier for an infectious disease, these respiratory droplets that can be carrying infectious cells presents a risk to those proximate the infected individual.

Protective personal equipment such as but not limited to facemasks are well known in the art and are utilized by both individuals seeking to protect themselves as well as individuals seeking to inhibit the spread of their respiratory droplets for fear of spreading an infectious droplet. Facemasks such as but not limited to N95 masks and other similar masks are configured to provide covering of the mouth and nose of a wearer so as to prevent the spread or contact with respiratory droplets. One problem with these masks is that they interfere with the sound of the projected voice of the wearer. These conventional masks typically muffle the audio quality of a wearer's voice and as such can make it difficult for those nearby to fully understand the wearer of the masks. Additionally, conventional N95 and other cloth type masks can create a discomfort for the wearer as they contact with the skin creates negative side effects such as but not limited to skin irritation. Lastly, conventional masks do not provide effective removal of the exhalation of the wearer which results in inhalation of air that is less than optimal.

Accordingly, there is a need for a personal protective facemask that is configured to provide an improved wearer's experience to include but not be limited to ability to see the mouth of the wearer, reduced vocal interference and direction of exhaled breath.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a personal protective facemask that is configured to allow a wearer's mouth to be visible wherein the facemask of the present invention includes a body manufactured from a transparent material.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a personal protective facemask that is configured to direct a wearer's respiratory droplets in a manner so as to inhibit the spread of any potential infectious cells wherein the body of the present invention has an undulated upper perimeter edge.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a personal protective facemask that is configured to allow a wearer's mouth to be visible wherein the facemask wherein the body includes a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a personal protective facemask that is configured to direct a wearer's respiratory droplets in a manner so as to inhibit the spread of any potential infectious cells wherein the body includes an upper end and a lower end wherein the first lateral edge and second lateral edge gradually become more proximate near the bottom perimeter edge of the body of the present invention.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a personal protective facemask that is configured to allow a wearer's mouth to be visible wherein the bottom perimeter edge of the body is arcuate in form.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a personal protective facemask that is configured to direct a wearer's respiratory droplets in a manner so as to inhibit the spread of any potential infectious cells wherein the arcuate bottom perimeter edge is formed inwards towards the wearer of the present invention.

Another object of the present invention is to a provide a personal protective facemask that is configured to allow a wearer's mouth to be visible wherein the body includes an outer surface and an inner surface wherein the inner surface of the body proximate the upper end is adjacent the nose and cheeks of the wearer.

An alternate object of the present invention is to provide a personal protective facemask that is configured to direct a wearer's respiratory droplets in a manner so as to inhibit the spread of any potential infectious cells wherein the body has a void between it and the face of the wearer below the nose and cheek area of the face of the wearer.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a personal protective facemask that is configured to allow a wearer's mouth to be visible wherein the bottom perimeter edge is beneath the chin of the wearer.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention on a wearer; and

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention on a wearer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a hygienic facemask 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic.

Now referring in particular to the Figures submitted herewith, the hygienic facemask 100 includes a body 10 wherein the body 10 in a preferred embodiment is manufactured from a clear plastic such as but not limited to polyethylene terephthalate. The transparency of the body 10 is to allow those proximate a wearer to see the wearer's mouth so as to facilitate improved communication with the wearer. The body 10 includes an upper end 12 and lower end 14 and further includes an outer surface 16 and inner surface 18. The upper end 12 includes an upper perimeter edge 20 wherein the upper perimeter edge 20 is undulated in shape having a peak formation 21 proximate the midline of the body 10 wherein the peak formation 21 is configured to be superposed and adjacent the nose of a wearer. The opposing valleys 23,24 of the upper perimeter edge 20 ensure minimal to no disruption of sight or engagement with the eyes by the body 10. Furthermore, the area of the body 10 proximate the opposing valleys do not engage the face of the wearer and a small void exists therebetween.

The body 10 includes a first wing portion 30 and second wing portion 35 that are contiguously formed with the upper end 12 of the body 10. The first wing portion 30 and second wing portion 35 are on opposing sides of the body 10 and extend rearward towards the wearer. A pair of apertures 40, 42 are formed in both the first wing portion 30 and second wing portion 35 wherein the apertures 40,42 are operably coupled with strap 90. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the strap 90 could be operably coupled to the body 10 utilizing a plurality of techniques. It should be further understood within the scope of the present invention that the strap 90 could be provided in various alternative embodiments. The body 10 includes a left lateral edge 45 and a right lateral edge 50 wherein the left lateral edge 45 and right lateral edge 50 define the width of the body 10. The width of the body 10 proximate the lower end 14 is less than that of the width of the body 10 proximate the upper end 12. This tapered shape of the body 10 conforms more consistently with a wearer's face.

The inner surface 18 of the body 10 is engage with the nose and cheeks of the wearer proximate the upper end 12 of the body 10. The engagement of the inner surface 18 with the aforementioned areas of the users face provide stabilization of the position of the body 10 and further provide the configuration of the void 5 wherein the portions of the body 10 below the upper portion that is engaged with the nose and cheek area of a wearer will have a void 5 between the wearer's face and the inner surface 18 of the body 10. The void 5 in conjunction with the shape of the bottom perimeter edge 70 (discussed further herein) provide the ability of the face mask to capture and redirect the exhaled breath of the wearer. The void 5 further provides the ability for those communicating with a wearer of the hygienic facemask 100 an improved ability to hear spoken words of the wearer. Additionally, the material of the body 10 and void 5 provide an improved breathing experience when compared to conventional N95 or other cloth masks that have fibers that can irritate the nasal passages of a wearer.

The lower end 14 is generally the area that is beneath the end 47 of the left lateral edge 45 wherein the same configuration exists with the right lateral edge 50 and thus defining the lower end 14. The lower end 14 extends beneath the chin of the wearer so as to ensure blocking and redirection of the exhaled breath of the wearer. The bottom perimeter edge 70 is arcuate in shape wherein the bottom perimeter edge 70 and the shape thereof provide redirection of the exhaled breath of the wearer of the hygienic facemask 100. Furthermore, the length of the body 10 wherein the lower end 14 extends beneath the chin of the wearer ensures the blocking and subsequent redirection of the wearer's exhaled breath.

While a preferred embodiment of the hygienic facemask 100 has been illustrated and discussed herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the shape of the body 10 could be provided in alternate shapes yet still have the bottom perimeter edge 70 having the inward arcuate formation thereto in order to accomplish the desired objective of the present invention.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A protective facemask worn on a face of a wearer configured to block and redirect exhaled breath from a wearer thereof and wherein the protective facemask provides visibility of the wearer's mouth wherein the protective facemask comprises: a body, said body being manufactured from a transparent material, said body having an upper end and a lower end, said body having an inner surface and an outer surface, said body having an upper perimeter edge and a lower perimeter edge, wherein a portion of said upper end of said body is adjacent a nose and cheeks of a wearer, said body having a void between said inner surface and the face of the wearer beneath the nose and cheeks; and wherein said lower perimeter edge extends beneath a chin of the wearer and wherein the lower perimeter edge is arcuate in form so as to redirect exhaled breath towards the wearer.
 2. The protective facemask as recited in claim 1, wherein said body includes a first wing portion and a second wing portion, said first wing portion and said second wing portion being on opposing sides of said body.
 3. The protective facemask as recited in claim 2, wherein said upper perimeter edge is undulated in form extending intermediate opposing sides of the body.
 4. The protective facemask as recited in claim 3, wherein said upper perimeter edge includes a peak formation, wherein the peak formation is axially aligned with the nose of the wearer.
 5. The protective facemask as recited in claim 4, wherein the upper perimeter edge includes valley formations, wherein the valley formations are on opposing sides of the peak formation.
 6. The protective facemask as recited in claim 5, and further including a strap, said strap being coupled to said first wing portion and said second wing portion.
 7. A facemask worn on a face of a wearer configured to inhibit spread of respiratory droplets of the wearer and wherein the facemask promotes improved communication with the wearer with the facemask comprising: a body, said body having an upper end and a lower end, said lower end of said body extending beneath a chin area of the wearer, said body having a left lateral edge and a right lateral edge, said left lateral edge and said right lateral edge being more proximate adjacent to said lower end, said body having an outer surface and an inner surface, said inner surface of said body configured to engage a nose and cheeks of a user proximate the upper end of said body, said upper end further having an upper perimeter edge, said upper perimeter edge being undulated in shape; and wherein a void exists between said inner surface of said body and a portion of the face of a wearer beneath the nose and cheeks and wherein the lower end includes a bottom perimeter edge that is inwardly arcuate in form towards the wearer.
 8. The facemask as recited in claim 7, wherein said body has a width proximate the lower end that is less than that of a width proximate the upper end.
 9. The facemask as recited in claim 8, wherein said body includes a first wing portion and a second wing portion, said first wing portion and said second wing portion being on opposing sides of said body, said first wing portion and said second wing portion being contiguous with said body and further including at least one aperture configured to operably couple to a strap.
 10. The facemask as recited in claim 9, wherein said upper perimeter edge includes a peak formation, wherein the peak formation is axially aligned with the nose of the wearer.
 11. The facemask as recited in claim 10, wherein the upper perimeter edge includes valley formations, wherein the valley formations are on opposing sides of the peak formation.
 12. The facemask as recited in claim 11, wherein said body is manufactured from a clear plastic. 